The O'Dea Family, believing that Cowra's potential as a grape-growing region could only be reached by processing its own fruit locally invested in a state of the art winery. The winery was erected on a hillside overlooking the magnificent vista of the Estate's vineyard and has the capability of processing up to 6000 tonnes of grapes.

The vision for the winery was to combine the latest technology with traditional techniques, and most importantly to reduce the critical time between picking and crushing the grapes. Because the Windowrie Estate vineyards surround the winery, winemaking can begin within minutes of harvesting.

The winery is also accredited as an organic processor allowing the winery to make organic wine from organically grown grapes.

In 2008, in an effort to increase the biodiversity of the winery site, Windowrie set aside 100000 square meters surrounding the winery to establish a regeneration project. The aim of the project is to increase biodiversity and to offset carbon production at Windowrie. The first of five thousand native trees and shrubs were planted in January 2008. Waste water from the winery will be treated and used to help establish the project.

Windowrie has given a boost to the region's tourist potential by painstakingly restoring the historical old flour mill in the centre of Cowra, turning it into The Mill - a cellar door, wine bar and function complex.

The Mill is located at 6 Vaux Street, Cowra and as well as wine offers a range of regional produce including cheeses and pates all produced in the Cowra region. The Mill is open 7 days a week, from 11am until 5pm. Phone (02) 6341 4141.

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